Based on a widely praised video game franchise of the same name, The Last of Us took the world by storm as it plunged viewers into a dark and terrifying world in which a fungus-based pandemic turned infected humans into a disturbing new type of monster leading to parts of the U.S. becoming governed by martial law.

Between the incredible effects, the intriguing twists and turns of the story and the heartfelt, father/daughter-like bond shared between the show’s main characters, the series quickly earned both fans and awards in its premiere season.

As season 2 approaches, In Touch rounded up everything fans of The Last of Us need to know about what happens next.

Warning: Spoilers Ahead!

Who Is the Main Cast of ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2?

Pedro Pascal stars as a gruff smuggler named Joel Miller who found himself begrudgingly caring for outspoken teen Ellie Williams (played by Bella Ramsey) whose unique genetics may hold the answer to saving the world.

Also returning in season 2 are series regulars Gabriel Luna, who played Joel’s brother Tommy Miller in season 1, and Rutina Wesley, who helms the role of Tommy’s wife and Jackson, Wyoming, community leader Maria Miller.

The many newcomers to the show include Booksmart actress Kaitlyn Dever as the highly anticipated antagonist Abby Anderson from The Last of Us: Part II, Madame Web’s Isabela Merced as Ellie’s friend and love interest, Dina, and Beef actor Young Mazino as Dina’s ex-partner Jesse. Westworld alum Jeffrey Wright will also make his debut as the secondary antagonist and leader of the Washington Liberation Front, Isaac Dixon.

Danny Ramirez (Manny), Ariela Barer (Mel), Spencer Lord (Owen) and Tati Gabrielle (Nora) and Catherine O’Hara (whose character is currently unannounced) will also round out the cast in season 2.

When Is ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 Release Date?

Pedro took to Instagram on March 20 to share a poster promoting season 2 and confirm that the next installment will begin in April.

“Is it too late to look for the light?” he captioned the photo. “Season 2 of #TheLastofUs premieres April 13 on @streamonmax @hbo.”

What Happened in ‘The Last of Us’ Season 1?

Season 1 introduced Joel, a hardened survivor still grieving the loss of his daughter, Sarah Miller (Nico Parker), who died 20 years prior at the beginning of the Cordyceps brain infection outbreak. After meeting Marlene (Merle Dandridge), the leader of a rebel group known as the Fireflies who convinces him to take Ellie – a teenage girl who is mysteriously immune to infection and could theoretically lead to a cure – Joel embarks on an arduous journey that begins at a quarantine zone in Boston and ends in Salt Lake, Utah. Throughout their trek, he and Ellie develop a close bond and heal some of each other’s emotional wounds that come from living in a post-apocalyptic world.

However, when he drops Ellie off with the Fireflies, he learns that they plan to let Ellie die during the procedure as they need her brain to find a cure. In the season finale, Joel makes the controversial decision to sacrifice a potential cure for the world by killing members of the Fireflies and stealing Ellie back. Later, he lies to her and tells her that they couldn’t find a cure.

She makes him swear that he’s telling the truth.

‘The Last of Us’ Season 2 Trailer Teases Tension for Ellie and Joel

Roughly five years after the events of season 1, Joel and Ellie are established residents of the thriving group of survivors based in Jackson – but that doesn’t mean they’re completely safe.

In the official trailer released by HBO in March 2025, Joel appears to teach a small child how to read a map as he talks with him about their home and the dangers that lurk outside. Throughout his voiceover, viewers get glimpses of Ellie and Dina’s relationship, as well as fights with the Infected and showdowns with other survivor factions.

The end of the trailer also hints at tension between Ellie and Joel as she reminds him that he “swore” that everything he told her about the Fireflies at the end of season 1 was true.